Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Nov 30, 2020 03:31PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 30, 2020
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports opening weekend of the muzzleloader deer season saw everything from sun and 40 degrees to snow and 30-mile-per-hour winds. No hunter success was seen but several hunters did report hearing at least some shooting. Ice conditions still vary greatly and no lakes were yet safe in the Ely area.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked muzzleloader deer hunters and anglers this past week. Ice fishing was slow as anglers had difficulty getting out on the early ice on most lakes. Velsvaag had several calls about trapping regulations and northern pike size restrictions.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week following up on past investigations. He monitored ATV complaint areas, which resulted in enforcement action.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area forest roads and trails. She checked a few archery deer hunters and grouse hunters. Lake ice conditions still vary. Manning also followed up on a couple cases from the summer and fall in addition to handling equipment maintenance.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked muzzleloader deer hunters, ice anglers and ATV riders, and worked on follow up from firearms deer season. Enforcement action included littering, allowing illegal juvenile ATV operation, and leaving duck decoys to freeze in public water after the close of the season.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked on some equipment needs and checked area activity. Time was also spent preparing for upcoming ice angling activity.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports checking early ice anglers in the area. Ice thickness varies between 2 and 6 inches. Water flowage may make ice dangerous so be sure to look at a map ahead of time to determine areas that may carry a higher danger. Walleyes, crappies, and sunfish were seen in the bag. Equipment maintenance was handled with the upcoming change of the seasons. A person was contacted for illegally burning garbage in a burn barrel.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked deer muzzleloader hunting and trapping activity this past week. Some ice anglers are starting to venture out on the shallow lakes and bays while deeper lakes have unsafe conditions. Time was also spent on follow-up investigations from the firearms deer season and monitoring bough-harvesting activity.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports opening weekend of the muzzleloader deer season saw everything from sun and 40 degrees to snow and 30-mile-per-hour winds. No hunter success was seen but several hunters did report hearing at least some shooting. Ice conditions still vary greatly and no lakes were yet safe in the Ely area.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked muzzleloader deer hunters and anglers this past week. Ice fishing was slow as anglers had difficulty getting out on the early ice on most lakes. Velsvaag had several calls about trapping regulations and northern pike size restrictions.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week following up on past investigations. He monitored ATV complaint areas, which resulted in enforcement action.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area forest roads and trails. She checked a few archery deer hunters and grouse hunters. Lake ice conditions still vary. Manning also followed up on a couple cases from the summer and fall in addition to handling equipment maintenance.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked muzzleloader deer hunters, ice anglers and ATV riders, and worked on follow up from firearms deer season. Enforcement action included littering, allowing illegal juvenile ATV operation, and leaving duck decoys to freeze in public water after the close of the season.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked on some equipment needs and checked area activity. Time was also spent preparing for upcoming ice angling activity.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports checking early ice anglers in the area. Ice thickness varies between 2 and 6 inches. Water flowage may make ice dangerous so be sure to look at a map ahead of time to determine areas that may carry a higher danger. Walleyes, crappies, and sunfish were seen in the bag. Equipment maintenance was handled with the upcoming change of the seasons. A person was contacted for illegally burning garbage in a burn barrel.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked deer muzzleloader hunting and trapping activity this past week. Some ice anglers are starting to venture out on the shallow lakes and bays while deeper lakes have unsafe conditions. Time was also spent on follow-up investigations from the firearms deer season and monitoring bough-harvesting activity.
